There exist four avenues through which an NHL team can acquire a player — the draft, trades, free agency (either unrestricted or restricted), and waiver claims. Among these options, waiver claims typically yield players with the least immediate impact on NHL teams. Players put on waivers are usually those deemed unfit for NHL play or are burdened with undesirable contracts.
Nevertheless, a few notable instances of players claimed off waivers have flourished in the NHL, such as Gustav Forsling of the Florida Panthers and Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken. The Montreal Canadiens have also experienced success with several waiver claims in recent times, with three players notably establishing significant roles within the team.
While none of these claims have matched the success of Forsling, who secured a substantial eight-year extension this season, here are three players who surpassed modest expectations after being picked up off waivers:
Johnathan Kovacevic, Defense (2022-Present)
It’s unlikely many Canadiens fans anticipated Johnathan Kovacevic remaining with the team for two full seasons after being claimed off waivers in October 2022, having played just four NHL games previously.
Since then, the 26-year-old has participated in 139 games with the team, serving as a mentor to the influx of young defensemen as one of the oldest members of the Habs’ defensive roster.
Though his statistics of nine goals and 28 points may not dazzle, he managed a respectable six goals in 62 games this season and boasted a plus-11 rating on a below-average Canadiens team. His goal tally was tied with Kaiden Guhle and David Savard for third among defensemen on the team.
Samuel Montembeault, Goaltender (2021-Present)
Much like Kovacevic, Samuel Montembeault has remained with the Canadiens for three seasons, primarily as their starting goaltender.
Since joining, he has started 119 games — more than any other Canadiens goaltender in that period. He also contributed to Canada’s gold medal victory at the 2023 World Hockey Championships.
Waived by the Florida Panthers in October 2021, Montembeault holds a 40-52-18 record, a 3.42 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage as a Canadien. Though these figures are average at best, he has had to defend a few struggling teams while earning a three-year extension this season. He is likely to continue as the primary goaltender for the foreseeable future.
Paul Byron, Left Wing (2015-2022)
Paul Byron was claimed off waivers in October 2015 and enjoyed an impressive seven seasons in Montreal, eventually being named an alternate captain towards the end of his tenure. With consecutive 20-goal seasons in 2016-17 and 2017-18, he unfortunately had to retire after the 2021-22 campaign due to a hip injury. He remains associated with the team as a player development consultant.
Byron played a total of 383 games for the Canadiens, scoring 81 goals and 160 points. Though he peaked at 43 points in 2016-17, his highest offensive output came with a 15-goal, 31-point season in 56 games in 2018-19 — equivalent to 22 goals and 45 points over a full season.
Renowned for his incredible speed, he also contributed three goals and six points during the team’s journey to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, including the memorable game-winning goal in Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
These three players epitomize the potential of discovering hidden gems when scanning the waiver wire. While some of their achievements can be attributed to circumstances such as the need for depth on a young and struggling Canadiens roster, these players demonstrated their worth as competitive NHL athletes after being overlooked by their former clubs.
